Here is what you need to know on this Wednesday, October 9, four days before the Redskins visit the Cowboys on Sunday night.

Nickel coverage

Five things you need to know about the Redskins-Cowboys matchup on Sunday night.

1. After being in the hole all season, the Redskins have managed to work their way back up to even in turnover ratio. They have seven takeaways (2 INT, 5 fumble recoveries) and have given it away seven times (4 INT, 3 fumbles lost). The Cowboys are a plus-three in turnover ratio. Of course, it’s not always quantity, it’s often a matter of when the turnovers occur. Tony Romo’s late interception against Denver was very costly and a Robert Griffin III fumble against the Lions was damaging to the Redskins’ chances in that game.

2. Romo is averaging 285.0 passing yards per game and Griffin is just inches behind him at 284.8 (numbers are net, including yards lost due to sacks). The difference is that Dallas’ offense is designed for a lot of passing and the Redskins’ is not. In 2012 the Cowboys averaged 41.1 passes per game and the Redskins averaged 27.6. This year it’s Washington with more attempts at 42.5 per game while Romo has averaged 37.6.

3. The Cowboys start their average drive on their own 28 yard line while the Redskins start at the 23. More goes into than this but Dallas is averaging almost more yards per kickoff return than the Redskins, 27.0 yards to 20.3. Last year the Redskins averaged 23.5 yards per kickoff return. Anyone miss Danny Smith yet?

4. Everyone knows that Dez Bryant has been a beast for the Cowboys this year but he’s tied for 16th in the NFL with 29 receptions and 10th in yards with 423. It would not be shocking if the best receiver on the field on Sunday night turns out to be Pierre Garçon, who has the same number of catches as Bryant having played in one fewer game. The Redskins receiver is averaging 84.8 yards per game while Bryant is averaging 84.6.

5. The early-week talk around Redskins circles is that they should run the ball and control the clock to keep Romo, Bryant, and company off the field. But that could be easier said than done. Dallas has allowed 3.8 yards per rushing attempt, 13th in the league. It may be better to attack through the air as they are giving up 8.2 yards per pass attempt, 25th in the NFL.

Stat of the day

—If it seems like Alfred Morris is getting stonewalled a lot more this year than the he was last season, it’s because he is. In 2012 one in every 5.8 rushing attempts for Morris resulted in a gain of zero yards or a loss of yardage. So far this year he is getting zero or negative yards every 4.6 carries, about 20 percen more frequently.

At this stage of his career, Jackson is a well-known deep threat. While much of the 2016 season has been disappointing for Jackson, in back-to-back weeks, the vertical passing attack has worked. In Arizona last Sunday, Jackson only caught one pass, but it went for 59 yards. On Thanksgiving in Dallas, Jackson hauled in a 67-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins as part of his season-high 118 receiving yards.

"What he brings to this football team, he brings something that not a lot of people can bring, and that’s obviously the speed and the big play ability," 'Skins head coach Jay Gruden said of Jackson.

The last two games moved Jackson's yards-per-catch average back in normal range with the rest of his career at 16.5. Halfway through this season, Jackson was averaging below 14 YPC, which would have been by far the worst of his career.

"A lot of people think that we haven’t utilized his speed quite like we should, but I think he has had a major impact on this football team," Gruden said. "His deep threat has an impact on the defense. It opens up areas for Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder and the backs sometimes. He’s been a major influence for this football team in a good way."

Beyond just the big plays, the Eagles defense has given up 645 passing yards in their last two games. Cousins has historically played well in Philadelphia, and should be in good position to do the same this weekend.

And based on the Eagles' past six games, expect Jackson to have another big game at Lincoln Financial Field.